Cargo-lock systems

ABSTRACT

A locking mechanism, designed specifically for cargo vehicles (e.g., cargo trucks) is provided for use with one sliding door, the mechanism comprising of one “control box” and at least one optional, remote electrical operating device. The operating device may be manually operated, e.g., by a truck operator, from outside the cargo vehicle, to unlock the door. In a typical context, the control box comprises a microchip controlled magnetic lock.

This written treatment of the CARGO-LOCK mechanism seeks to elucidatethe components, mechanics and operation of this new security system forsecuring property in cargo vehicles as envisioned and developed by PaulLazarte-Lovatoni and Richard Harrington, the inventors of the CARGO-LOCKsecure system. CARGO-LOCK was designed specifically for use by cargotrucks and other cargo vehicles. This treatment was populated as theabstract required for utility patent application filing for thisinnovation.

This new mechanism was invented for the first time by PaulLazarte-Lovatoni and Richard Harrington on Jun. 17, 2005.

This treatment will be presented in the following key section Areas:

-   I. Background & Context-   II. The Problem of Securing Transported Cargo-   III. Description of the CARGO-LOCK Technology-   IV. How the CARGO-LOCK Operates-   V. CARGO-LOCK Secure System Schematic

Section I: Background & Context

In the cargo truck business, vandalism and theft of property is arampant problem that is burgeoning as criminals discover thatcargo-stored property is literally an easy crime that anyone can getaway with.

The most conservative statistics bear out the criticality of thisproblem. In California, there are over 100,000 cargo trucks that use akey-lock system to secure their storage area. Approximately, twenty-fivepercent of these trucks experience some level of vandalism/theft. By anyanalysis of criminal data, such a figure is excessive and critical tobusiness viability, not to mention business survival. Thus, the dailycommonplace dilemma of securing stored property is a rampant problem forcargo truck operators. The above-stated theft/vandalism occurs atdifferent levels of causation: key-lock mechanisms are successfullytampered with through the thieves' use of tools (e.g., plyers) that arecapable of breaking the lock or “skeleton” keys that can open the lock.

The state of the problem is at a crossroads-level period. In otherwords, any solution that is more than a plausible approach to thisburgeoning business concern of truck owners may be regarded as thelatest proverbial “idea whose time has come.”

The inability to fully secure property has serious business implicationsthat may result in loss of dollar revenues, competitive leading-edgestatus, and other related legal problems including breach ofcontract—not to mention the ultimate failure of a specific commercialenterprise.

By extension, all of the above concepts/principles concerning the needfor truck cargo security also can apply to a specific subsidiary of acompany as well as to any individual person who may irregularly operatea cargo truck of any size.

The CARGO-LOCK mechanism also enhances a user's need for time efficiencysince without the need to use a key—much less the need to remember touse it—the user can focus on other priorities required in their deliveryor storage of the cargoed items.

Section II: The Problem of Securing Transported Cargo

The issue of securing transported cargo is currently of a continuingnature whose solution seems elusive—or appears that way—for any personor entity engaged in transporting cargo via truck or other vehicle. Asthe FIGS., delineated in section I illustrate, the problem is at acritical level where a solution begs the issue.

So, how does CARGO-LOCK security system make a difference in being anintended solution to this problem? Simply stated, the CARGO-LOCKsecurity system solves the problem by utilizing digital control logictechnology to enhance the effectiveness of the locking mechanism.

By designing CARGO-LOCK specifically for cargo vehicles and makinglock/unlock access of the locking mechanism limited via use of a remotedevice, the possibilities of the locking mechanism being accessed bythieves is significantly, if not completely, addressed.

At the present time, no locking mechanism addressing the above problemexists that is specifically designed for cargo vehicles. Thus, corporateentities and individuals are presently at common, regular risk tothieves and/or vandals when they use existing latch or key-lockmechanisms to secure property in cargo vehicles. There are lockmechanisms based on digital control logic technology that exist.However, none of these locking mechanisms are designed specifically forcargo vehicles.

The CARGO-LOCK mechanism also enhances a user's need for time efficiencysince without the need to use a key—much less the need to remember touse it—the user can focus on other priorities required in their deliveryor storage of the cargoed items.

Section III: Description of the CARGO-LOCK Technology

The technology described herein has been denominated as the CARGO-LOCKby its innovators. This system comprises a two-part locking mechanism[See Section V schematic] and a genie remote locking/unlocking mechanism[See Section V schematic].

This technology involves a solution that is an extension of a scientificdevelopment often referred to as digital control logic technology. Thistechnology, innovated in

The CARGO-LOCK secure system are comprised of the following components:

-   (1) Control Box-   (2) Remote Control Device (Optional)

Section IV: How the CARGO-LOCK Operates

Sequentially, the CARGO-LOCK generally operates as follows:

-   (1) User chooses to unlock cargo door that is presently locked via a    magnetic field that is in lock position. Using a remote control    device, he presses the unlock icon on the device which sends    electronic pulse (contact closure) that runs the motor mechanism in    the CARGO-LOCK control box component and unlocks the motor for a    short time.-   (2) The signal is then sent to the locking mechanism.-   (3) At the exact second that the locking mechanism receives the    signal from the genie, the locking mechanism is opened.    Consequently, the lock is placed in the unlock position.-   (4) The above sequence repeats when user chooses to lock the cargo    door except the lock icon is pressed and the electronic pulse sends    a lock signal on the remote is pressed. Consequently, the lock is    placed in the lock position.

By making the locking mechanism accessible exclusively through theCARGO-LOCK remote device, as opposed to a key or a latch located on thelocking mechanism as is the case with most other cargo locks, theCARGO-LOCK secure system better ensures the protections/safekeeping ofproperty in the truck cargo storage area.

Relative to the truck operator's purchase of the CARGO-LOCK system, morethan one CARGO-LOCK genie can be provided to be used by employeesaccording to the truck operator determination of who should have accessto the stored cargo.

Section V: CARGO-LOCK Operation Schematic

1. A locking mechanism designed specifically for cargo vehicles,including cargo trucks, for use with at least one door of a cargovehicle, the mechanism comprising of one commercial magnetic 3″×10″product box which is a magnetic device and at least one remote,electrical operating device.
 2. A locking mechanism as claimed in claim1, comprising at least one remote, electrical operating devicespecifically used for unlocking/locking the control box.
 3. A lockingmechanism, as claimed in claim 2, comprising a microchip design thatincludes a timing device to lock or unlock the locking mechanism.
 4. Alocking mechanism, as claimed in claim 2, which is operated by a remotecontrol device (optional) which may be manually operated, e.g., by atruck operator from outside cargo vehicle, to unlock a truck door.
 5. Aremote control device, as claimed in claim 3, which unlocks a truck doorwhen truck operator depresses “unlock” button on remote control device.6. A remote control device, as claimed in claim 3, which locks a truckdoor when truck operator depresses “lock” button on remote controldevice.